Knowing Marathi is essential for those operating auto-rickshaws, taxis and app-based transport services to do business in the state, said the Maharashtra government on Wednesday, adding the decision aims
to support livelihoods, not to restrict them.
The remarks were made by Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik during a key meeting held at the State Secretariat in Mumbai. The meeting was attended by transport officials, experts, literary personalities and administrative representatives.
“Knowing Marathi is essential to do business in the state”, Sarnaik said, adding the decision applies to services like Rapido, Ola, Uber, auto, and taxi drivers.
The decision came after repeated complaints that the 2019 government order on Marathi communication has not been effectively implemented in various parts of the state.
‘Basic Marathi Proficiency Needed, Not Written Fluency’
During the meeting, Sarnaik stressed it is important for taxi, rickshaw or cab drivers to possess basic Marathi proficiency. He added that written fluency in the language is not required.
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‘व्यावहारिक मराठी’ अनिवार्य; यासाठी मोटार वाहन नियमांमध्ये बदल होणार
राज्यात मराठी भाषेचा प्रसार व्हावा आणि नागरिकांशी संवाद अधिक सुलभ व्हावा, यासाठी रिक्षा व टॅक्सी चालकांना व्यावहारिक मराठी बोलणे अनिवार्य करण्याचा निर्णय परिवहन विभागाने घेतला… pic.twitter.com/1vVisE1eDB
— Pratap Baburao Sarnaik (@PratapSarnaik) April 23, 2026
“The responsibility of teaching Marathi to rickshaw-taxi drivers will be entrusted to the Konkan Marathi Literary Association and the Mumbai Marathi Literary Association. Through them, various training centers will be started in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.”
“Certificates will be given to drivers who complete the training, which will be useful in future license or permit processes”, he said.
Aim To Support Livelihoods
The Maharashtra minister emphasised the decision aimed at supporting livelihoods of the drivers and not restricting them.
“The intention is not to hinder anyone’s employment; however, taking a clear stance that those doing business in Maharashtra must learn Marathi, the initiative will be implemented with emphasis on public awareness, encouragement, and easy Marathi education rather than compulsion”, Sarnaik wrote in a post on ‘X’.
